When I first learned that my good friends Sai Mukunda and Aayush had embarked on their own adventure venture with The Monk Ninja Adventures, I couldn't have been more thrilled. I had seen many of my classmates and friends conquering peaks in Uttarakhand, Leh, and Ladakh, and I often dreamt of completing such an expedition myself.
My journey as an amateur climber began in 2018 when I embarked on a short trek to Chadrashila and Tunganath with my brother and cousins. The Chandrashila trek reaches a height of about 3,690 meters (12,110 feet) above sea level and offers breathtaking views of famous peaks such as Nandadevi, Trisul, Kedar Peak, Bandarpunch, and Chaukhamba peaks. This adventure took place in December 2018, during the Christmas and New Year season. Since it was our first trek, we decided to go with Thrillophilia, which provided us with the comfort of a guide and a cook during the journey.
Fast forward to June 2023: my friend Sai Mukunda approached me with the exciting opportunity to embark on another trek, presenting me with various options to choose from. Having already completed a peak at an altitude of 3,690 meters, I aimed to challenge myself by attempting a peak around 4,200 to 4,300 meters in elevation. Additionally, I wanted to explore a different terrain on the Himachal side since my previous trek had been in Uttarakhand.
This decision led us to choose Patalsu as our next trekking destination. At the time, I wasn't in peak physical condition, and ascending such a peak would undoubtedly be a formidable challenge. To make matters more adventurous, it would be just my friend and me summiting the peak in an "Alpine" style. Mukunda, my friend, graciously volunteered to play the roles of guide, porter, motivator, and cook all at once.
I arrived in Manali on June 16, 2023, from Delhi, where the weather offered a welcome relief from the sweltering heat of the plains. We spent two days acclimatizing to the mountain environment in Manali's Chicago Heights before embarking on our journey to Patalsu on the 18th.
Our trek got off to an unexpected start when the bus we were on broke down just 30 minutes into our journey. After an hour of waiting, the bus finally resumed its operation, and we reached Solang around 3 pm. Following a meal at a local dhaba, we commenced our ascent. For this adventure, I wore a full t-shirt and track pants and carried a backpack containing essential items such as a sleeping bag, Down jacket, towel, dry fruits, medications, water, and extra clothing. My backpack weighed approximately 15 kilograms, while Mukunda's was even heavier due to his portable tent and stove.
The initial part of the trek was relatively manageable, but I encountered some steep sections that challenged me. Thankfully, I had trekking poles to assist me. We continued for about 2 to 3 hours until the rain began to fall. In response, Mukunda swiftly set up our camp. Although the chosen campsite wasn't ideal, as the water source was quite far away, the pouring rain left us with no other option. We had packed food for dinner, watched a bit of the F1 race, and called it a night. The tent was spacious enough for two people to sit comfortably and provided much-needed protection from the cold outside. For sleeping, we used sleeping bags. During this period, we had climbed approximately 1,500 meters, covering a distance of roughly 8 kilometers.
The following morning, we woke up around 6 am. Being in the wilderness, we had to find a suitable spot for our morning ablutions, a reminder of the limited resources one encounters on an alpine trek. This also served as a reminder to carry sufficient water during such expeditions.
After packing up our camp, we resumed our journey towards the Patalsu peak around 9 am. Refreshed after a night's sleep, I found myself moving faster on the second day. We continued to climb for 2 to 3 hours and reached a rock shelter around 1 pm, where we decided to have lunch. Post-lunch fatigue set in, and I struggled to move as swiftly as I had in the morning. By 2 pm on the second day, we had ascended to approximately 2,800 meters.
After some encouragement from Mukunda, we pushed on. The next two hours were challenging; it was hot, the terrain was steep, and my energy levels were dwindling. Somehow, we managed to reach an elevation of about 3,800 meters and decided to set up camp for the night. Apart from the physical climbing, Mukunda was also imparting valuable lessons on selecting an ideal camping spot, emphasizing the importance of a flat surface, proximity to a water source, and the presence of rocks or wood for sitting. At 3,800 meters, we couldn't find a water source, but we discovered fresh snow. Mukunda went to great lengths to dig deep into the snow to access clean water. During the night, symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) started to appear, and I developed a headache. Mukunda provided me with hot coffee, tea, and homeopathic remedies.
The next morning marked the crucial day when we would attempt to reach the summit of Patalsu. I was uncertain about my ability to accomplish this feat, with Aayush's words echoing in my mind: "It's not Everest; if you can't summit, it's okay." However, Mukunda was determined to see me reach the summit, insisting that none of his clients return without achieving this goal, at least that's his hope.
On the next day, we set out at approximately 4 am. Despite the seemingly small distance of 500 meters to the summit, this portion of the trek proved to be the most challenging for me. There were sections with knee-deep snow, and Mukunda had the arduous task of clearing the path. I slipped numerous times, at least 10 to 20, on my way up. Just 50 meters from the summit, we reached a false summit. Exhausted, I suggested that we stop there, take pictures, and turn back. Who would know, right? Mukunda, however, was resolute. He tied a rope around my waist and pulled me another 100 meters toward the summit. Without his unwavering support and encouragement, I doubt I would have reached the summit.
The descent was smoother, and after this remarkable journey, I left with cherished memories and newfound knowledge. I am deeply grateful to Monk Ninja Adventures for helping me achieve this remarkable feat. I wholeheartedly recommend this outstanding team led by two mountain superstars, Sai Mukunda and Aayush. Their expertise and guidance made this adventure an unforgettable experience. You can find more information about them [here](insert link).
In conclusion, my trek to Patalsu with Monk Ninja Adventures was a life-changing experience that pushed my limits and tested my determination. With the support and leadership of Sai Mukunda and Aayush, I conquered this challenging peak, and I'm grateful for the memories
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